SENATE BILL REPORT
2SHB 1325
As of March 4, 2021
Title: An act relating to implementing policies related to children and youth behavioral health as reviewed and recommended by the children and youth behavioral health work group.
Brief Description: Implementing policies related to children and youth behavioral health.
Sponsors: House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Callan, Eslick, Leavitt, Fitzgibbon, Thai, Duerr, Senn, Ortiz-Self, Davis, Bergquist, Ramos, Lekanoff, Pollet, Dent and Goodman).
Brief History: Passed House: 2/26/21, 92-5.
Committee Activity: Behavioral Health Subcommittee to Health & Long Term Care: 3/12/21.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Makes changes to Partnership Access Lines which facilitate mental health consultations, including converting the pilot program for the Partnership Access Line for Moms into a permanent program.
  • Expands Medicaid benefits to enhance the number of visits and criteria for mental health assessment and diagnosis for children aged birth through five.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SUBCOMMITTEE TO HEALTH & LONG TERM CARE
Staff: Kevin Black (786-7747)
Background:

Children and Youth Behavioral Health Work Group.  In 2016, the Children's Mental Health Work Group was created by the Legislature.  The group was renamed in 2018, as the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Work Group (CYBHWG) and extended through 2026.  The CYBHWG has a variety of members including legislators, representatives from state agencies, representatives from behavioral health organizations, parents, pediatricians, and youth.
 
In 2020, the CYBHWG produced a report with recommendations to the Legislature in the following areas:

  • prenatal to age five relational health;
  • workforce and rates;
  • student behavioral health and suicide prevention; and
  • youth and young adult continuum of care.

 
Partnership Access Line.  The Partnership Access Line (PAL) is a program administered by the University of Washington Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science that supports primary care providers—doctors, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants—with questions about mental health care including:

  • diagnostic clarification;
  • medication adjustment; or 
  • treatment planning.

 
A social worker is available through PAL to assist with finding mental health resources for patients.  PAL also provides specialized consultation to facilitate referrals for mental health services for teens and children.  A two-year pilot, beginning January 1, 2019, and extended through the end of fiscal year 2021, provides a PAL for Moms program.  This program provides perinatal mental health consultation, recommendations, and referrals for providers caring for pregnant or postpartum patients, from faculty members with expertise in perinatal mental health.
 
Diagnostic Classification of Mental Health and Developmental Disorders of Infancy and Early Childhood.  The Diagnostic Classification of Mental Health and Developmental Disorders of Infancy and Early Childhood (DC:0-5) is a diagnostic manual for children ages birth through age five designed to help mental health and other professionals recognize mental health and developmental challenges in infants and young children.  The DC:0-5 uses diagnostic criteria for classification, case formulation, and intervention.
Summary of Bill:

The two-year pilot program to implement the Partnership Access Line for Moms is made permanent.  The Partnership Access Line for Kids is renamed the Partnership Access Line for Children and Teens.  Identification of an in-network mental health professional for a child within this service may be completed within an average of seven days from call intake processing.  Reporting requirements relating to the Partnership Access Lines held by the Health Care Authority and University of Washington which expired on January 1, 2021, are revived and extended indefinitely.

 

Subject to appropriation, Medicaid requirements are expanded to allow up to five sessions for intake and mental health assessment of children aged birth through six months in home or community settings, including reimbursement for provider travel.  Medicaid providers must use the current version of the DC:0-5 diagnostic classification system for mental health assessment and diagnosis of children aged birth through five.
Appropriation: The bill contains a null and void clause requiring specific funding be provided in an omnibus appropriation act.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.